Travel pillow

ABSTRACT

A pair of symmetrical pillow members each have an enlarged lower portion and a narrowing upper portion with a strap extending from a top end. The straps of the two pillow members are releasably attachable to one another, behind the headrest of an automobile seat, to adjustably position and support the pillow members on the opposite sides of the head of a person occupying the seat. In a preferred embodiment, the pillow members are structured to extend over the seat occupant&#39;s shoulders with the lower portions converging towards one another, thereby allowing the person to rest their head to the left or right side. The pillow members are adjustably positionable to accommodate for the size of the individual, ranging from children to large adults.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This Application is a continuation patent application of co-pendingpatent application Ser. No. 11/051,935 filed on Feb. 3, 2005 whichclaimed the benefit of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.60/541,988 filed on Feb. 5, 2004.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to pillow rests for traveling and, moreparticularly, to a travel pillow device which is supported around theheadrest of a vehicle seat and which includes a pair of releasablyattachable pillow members that extend around the seat headrest and overa persons shoulders, on opposite sides of the head, thereby allowing theperson to tilt their head slightly to the left or right so that the sideof their head rests comfortably on one of the pillow members.

DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED ART

When traveling in a car or airplane, and particularly when travelinglonger distances, passengers sometimes like to take a nap or simply restcomfortably. The seats in an automobile or airplane, while typicallymade for general comfort and safety of passengers, are not ideallysuited for napping or relaxing for extended periods of time. While theheadrest of an automobile seat is generally suited for comfort andsafety while seated upright and looking forward, there is no provisionfor comfortably supporting the head when leaning to the side in aresting or napping position. In many instances, passengers inautomobiles fall asleep with their head resting against the side windowor door casing. Not surprisingly, most passengers do not stay in thisposition very long due to the resulting discomfort. Also, when thevehicle passenger first begins to fall asleep, and the neck musclesrelax, the lack of sufficient head and neck support sometimes results ina sudden bobbing and jerking of the head which wakes the passenger.

In an attempt to overcome the problems of discomfort when traveling as apassenger in an automobile or airplane, some people place a small pillowto the side of their head. And, while use of a pillow is certainly morecomfortable than resting one's head against the window or doorstructure, it is often difficult to maintain the pillow in comfortableposition. Usually, as the person moves their head, the pillow falls andmust be repositioned for comfort. The constant need to adjust andreposition the pillow can be annoying and will, in most instances,disrupt the person's rest.

Accordingly, their remains an urgent need in the field of travel for apillow device which is particularly adapted for use on an automobileseat and which will remain in adjusted position while allowing apassenger to selectively rest their head to the right or left sidewithout having to reposition the pillow.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a travel pillow which includes apair of symmetrical pillow members. Each pillow member has an enlargedlower portion and an upper portion which narrows towards a top end. Astrap extends from the top end of each pillow member and is structuredand disposed for adjustable attachment to the corresponding strap of theother pillow member. In a preferred embodiment, hook and loop fastenersare provided on the straps for adjustable and releasable attachment ofthe straps. In use, the straps are secured behind the headrest of anautomobile seat to adjustably position and support the pillow members onthe opposite sides of the head of a person occupying the seat. Thepillow members are structured to extend over the user's shoulders, withthe lower portions converging towards one another and below the user'schin. The pillow members are adjustably positionable to accommodate forvariations in individual user size, ranging from smaller children tolarger adults.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

Considering the foregoing, it is a primary object of the presentinvention to provide a travel pillow which allows a user to comfortablyrest their head, to the left or right side, while the pillow remains inan adjusted position.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a travelpillow which is adapted for use in virtually any make and modelautomobile, and wherein the travel pillow is specifically structured tobe supported about the headrest of a seat in an automobile.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide atravel pillow which is specifically structured to allow a person tocomfortably rest their head when traveling in an automobile, and whereinthe travel pillow is adapted for use by individuals of all ages, rangingfrom young children to large adults.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide atravel pillow which is structured to be supported about the headrest ofan automobile seat, and wherein the position of the travel pillowrelative to the headrest and user is adjustable to accommodate forpersonal preference, comfort and the size of the individual.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are morereadily apparent with reference to the following detailed descriptiontaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention,reference should be made to the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating use of the travel pillow ofthe present invention on an automobile seat;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view illustrating the manner of releasableand adjustable attachment of the left and right pillow members;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the travel pillow of the presentinvention, showing the left and right pillow members secured together,at the top straps, and with the lower portions of the pillow membersconverging towards one another; and

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view showing the travel pillow securedabout the headrest of an automobile seat, and wherein adjustablepositioning of the pillow members is illustrated in phantom lines.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several viewsof the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The travel pillow is shown throughout the several views of drawings andis indicated generally as 10. The travel pillow 10 is defined primarilyby a pair of symmetrical left and right pillow members 12, 14,respectively. Each pillow member 12, 14 includes a lower portion 20 andan upper portion 22. The upper portion 22 narrows as it curves inwardlytowards a top end 24. The right pillow member 12 has a strap 30extending from its top end 24, and the left pillow member 14 has a strap32 extending from its top end 24. The straps 30, 32 are structured forreleasable, adjustable attachment to one another to effectively securethe left and right pillow members 12, 14 together in a generallyhorseshoe configuration, as best seen in FIG. 3. In a preferredembodiment, hook and loop fasteners, or like means, are provided on thestraps 30, 32 for releasable and adjustable attachment of the straps.More specifically, as seen in FIG. 2, an upper facing side 34 of strap30 is provided with a hook or loop fabric component 36, while theunderside 35 of strap 32 is provided with a corresponding hook or loopfabric component 38 for releasable attachment to the hook or loop fabriccomponent 36.

In use, the straps 30, 32 are secured together and positioned behind theheadrest of a vehicle seat (see FIGS. 1 and 4) with the left and rightpillow members 12, 14 extending around the front side of the headrestand for positioning over the shoulders of the user. As seen in FIGS. 1and 3, the lower portions of the left and right pillow members convergetowards one another to position the pillow members 12, 14 along thesides of the user's neck and extending partially across the upper chest.Depending upon the particular preference of the user, as well as thesize of the individual user, the positioning of the left and rightpillow members 12, 14 can be adjusted to raise or lower the pillowmembers relative to the headrest and user. Referring to FIG. 4, variouspositions of the pillow members are shown. With the straps 30, 32positioned in completely overlying relation, as seen in FIG. 3, thepillow members 12, 14 are maintained at a higher level. This positioningof the left and right pillow members is particularly suited for a talleradult. By repositioning the straps 30, 32 in partially overlyingrelation, the pillow members 12, 14 will drop lower on the front side ofthe vehicle seat. As seen in FIG. 4, the left and right pillow memberscan be adjusted to a intermediate position for shorter adults and largerchildren, while the lowest position is ideally suited for youngerchildren.

In a preferred embodiment, the left and right pillow members 12, 14 areformed to have an outer casing including a top side and a bottom sidewhich are stitched about a peripheral seam. The outer casing is stuffedwith a polyester filler or other suitable pillow stuffing. The outercasing may be made to be removable or, alternatively, removable coversmay be provided for the left and right pillow members, to facilitatewashing and replacement.

While the instant invention has been shown and described in accordancewith a preferred and practical embodiment thereof, it is recognized thatdepartures from the instant disclosure are contemplated within thespirit and scope of the present invention.

1. A pillow device comprising: a pair of symmetrical and individualpillow members including a left pillow member and a right pillow member,said left and right pillow members being separable from one another andoperatively connectable and positionable relative to one another to forman open central area; said left and right pillow members each includingan outboard side and an inboard side, and a lower portion, an upperportion and a top end, said lower portion being enlarged relative tosaid upper portion and said top end, and said inboard side curvinginwardly at said lower portion and said top end to partially surroundthe open central area; a first strap extending from said top end of saidleft pillow member and having an upper facing side and a bottom facingside, and including a first component of a releasable fastener on saidupper facing side; a second strap extending from said top end of saidright pillow member and having an upper facing side and a bottom facingside, and including a second component of a releasable fastener on saidbottom facing side; and said first and second straps being releasablyattachable to one another by mating engagement of said first and secondcomponents of said releasable fastener to adjustably connect saidindividual left and right pillow members in opposing, symmetricalarrangement about the open central area so that said lower portionsconverge towards one another, and said lower portions of said left andright pillow members remaining separated from one another.
 2. The pillowdevice as recited in claim 1 wherein said first and second components ofsaid releasable fastener are hook and loop fasteners.
 3. The pillowdevice as recited in claim 1 wherein said left and right pillow memberseach narrow in width, measured between the outboard and inboard sides,towards the upper portion and top end.
 4. The pillow device as recitedin claim 1 wherein a width of each of said left and right pillowmembers, as measured between the outboard and inboard sides, is widestat said lower portion.
 5. A pillow device comprising: a pair ofsymmetrical and individual pillow members including a left pillow memberand a right pillow member, said left and right pillow members beingseparable from one another and operatively connectable and positionablerelative to one another to form an open central area between the leftand right pillow members; said left and right pillow members eachincluding an outboard side and an inboard side, and a lower portion, anupper portion and a top end, said lower portion being enlarged relativeto said upper portion and said top end, and said inboard side curvinginwardly at said lower portion and said top end to partially surroundthe open central area; a first strap extending from said top end of saidleft pillow member; a second strap extending from said top end of saidright pillow member; cooperating releasable fasteners on said first andsecond straps for releasably attaching said first and second strapstogether, and thereby attaching said left pillow member to said rightpillow member with said left and right pillow members adjustablypositioned in opposing, symmetrical arrangement about the open centralarea; and a width of each of said left and right pillow members, asmeasured between the outboard and inboard sides, being widest at saidlower portion.
 6. The pillow device as recited in claim 5 wherein saidlower portions of the respective left and right pillow members are sizedand configured to converge towards one another when said left and rightpillow members are attached by the first and second straps.
 7. Thepillow device as recited in claim 5 wherein said cooperating releasablefasteners are hook and loop fasteners.
 8. A pillow device comprising: apair of symmetrical and individual pillow members including a leftpillow member and a right pillow member, said left and right pillowmembers being separable from one another and operatively connectable andpositionable relative to one another to form an open central area; saidleft and right pillow members each including an outboard side and aninboard side, and a lower portion, an upper portion and a top end, saidlower portion being enlarged relative to said upper portion and said topend, and said inboard side curving inwardly at said lower portion andsaid top end to partially surround the open central area; said left andright pillow members each narrowing in width, measured between theoutboard and inboard sides, from said lower portion and upwardly to saidupper portion and said top end; a width of each of said left and rightpillow members, as measured between the outboard and inboard sides,being widest at said lower portion; a first strap extending from saidtop end of said left pillow member and having an upper facing side and abottom facing side, and including a first component of a releasablefastener on said upper facing side; a second strap extending from saidtop end of said right pillow member and having an upper facing side anda bottom facing side, and including a second component of a releasablefastener on said bottom facing side; and said first and second strapsbeing releasably attachable to one another by mating engagement of saidfirst and second components of said releasable fastener to adjustablyconnect said individual left and right pillow members in opposing,symmetrical arrangement about the open central area so that said lowerportions converge towards one another, and said lower portions of saidleft and right pillow members remaining separated from one another.